emblem of the Papacy: Triple tiara and keys Français : emblème pontifical Italiano: emblema del Papato Português: Emblema papal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Regarding the Pope‘s resignation and the ongoing revelations that the Catholic Church has actively concealed and protected known child rapists -

The thing that baffles me here is that this is an organized, criminal conspiracy from the bottom to the top of the organization.

As an example, in Los Angeles, the diocese leadership denied that anything had happened, suppressed witness testimony through threats of legal action or deportation, refused to cooperate with authorities, removed rapists from the jurisdiction and out of the reach of extradition – all the while providing the rapists with a constant flow of fresh victims, providing them housing, room, board, income and facilities through which they could continue raping new victims.

If this organization were moving crystal meth, or guns, or prostitutes, we’d be seeing organizational prosecutions under RICO and similar statutes.

There is no functional difference in the criminality – in fact, the Catholic church seems to have engaged in heightened criminality.

Why, then, are prosecuting authorities not seeking RICO style punishments? Asset forfeitures of the facilities used to facilitate the ongoing crimes, criminal punishments of leadership who directed that concealment and witness tampering be committed, suspension or revocation of tax-exempt status?

We, the taxpayers are PAYING for the Catholic Church’s privileged raping of children.

We allow them to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbying and advertising effort to prevent birth control, family planning, gay rights – and to promote charter schools and tax money to religious schools.

The money that they raise – entirely free of tax and the properties that they inhabit – again, entirely free of tax – are used to manipulate and distort our society, to engage in the knowing facilitation of criminal rape of children, and to engage in suppressing any investigation. Beyond the direct financial costs and opportunity costs, they are ongoingly creating a layer of society members who are deeply wounded, angry and who aren’t able to fully participate in society.

Why is this happening? Why are our prosecuting officers not pursuing all of the remedies that they would pursue if this were some creepy guy with a van?

It’s important to pause today and compare today to how things were.

Four years ago, I was functionally homeless.

Today, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my own space.

Six months ago, I had been free lancing since 1986, never knowing whether I’d have enough income to go another few days.

Today, I have a job with a future, and a solid part time job to boot.

In 1987, I lost my health insurance and couldn’t afford it again.

Today, I have health insurance.

I have my first new car since 1995.

I am thankful that I have learned to release excess possessions.

I am thankful for my splendid friends.

I am thankful for my education.

I am thankful for my delightful sister.

I am thankful for a day of silent reflection, free of drama.

I am thankful that I can stop and see how my life has improved.

After over forty years of fixation on cars that represented some measure of perceived success, my BFF persuaded me to consider a Fiat 500.

Two years ago, I looked at the 500 at the San Francisco auto show, and thought to myself “what more does anyone need?”

I never considered them again until LaborDay weekend.

I was hooked on the Chrysler 300. Everyone knew it. I had researched them endlessly, written about them, coached a half dozen sales people about their features.

They remain a marvelous car. My budget wouldn’t support one at this point.

At the Fiat salon/used car lot, Chuck asked if I had considered the 500. I was not enrolled in the idea.

Still, because it was Chuck, I agreed to drive one.

Wasn’t thrilled as I got into the first one. I settled in behind the wheel, and found that the driving position was very comfortable. The surfaces and colors from the driver seat were very pleasing.

Started her up, put it into drive and we were off.

It’s a hoot to drive. A hoot, do you hear?

I haven’t loved a car this much since my 1979 Camaro Berlinetta.